Packaging process and apparatus

ABSTRACT

Apparatus and process in which one plate, or several accurately superimposed plates carry items to be packaged. On inversion of the plates, items either fall directly into the voids of a partitioned box or fall into individual packages held by a plate, which packaged items are then ejected by pushrods into a single box. A plate may have cut-away portions such as V-shaped grooves which receive upstanding edges or partition walls of a box to accurately register the box with the plate and contents and nest the box into the plate to achieve configuration-accurate inversion of the items to be packaged.

This invention relates, in general terms, to apparatus for the packagingof articles. The invention also relates to a process for the packagingof articles. Primarily, the invention is concerned with multi-articlepackages, that is to say packages which contain more than one article,and to apparatus and a process for the packaging of such articles. Inone embodiment the invention relates to the packaging of a plurality ofdifferent types of product in a single package.

In the packaging art it is convenient to consider the existence of twobasic types of packaged product. These are, firstly, where all thearticles to be packaged are of the one type and, secondly, where thearticles to be packaged are of two or more different types.

One of the problem areas which exist in relation to both basic types ofpackaged product, is in relation to the accurate positioning of apackage to receive the product. A further difficulty concerns thequestion of the orientation of an article when it is packaged. Certainarticles need to be packaged with reference to a specific orientation ofthe article within the package. In particular, some articles have adistinct bottom surface, and the article must be packed so that thebottom surface sits on the bottom of the package.

It is accordingly, a first object of the present invention, to provide apackaging apparatus and a packaging process which addresses, and atleast partly overcomes, the problems and difficulties which exist at thepresent time in relation to the packaging or location of articles ofdifferent types into a one or more packages or containers.

It is a second object of this invention to provide a packaging apparatusand a packaging process which address, and at least partly overcomes,the problems and difficulties which exist at the present time inrelation to the accurate positioning of a package to receive product,and, to the orientation of a packed article.

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention there is providedan apparatus for packaging products, said apparatus including; a firstplate member having a plurality of cavities adapted to receive productto be packaged; a second plate member having a plurality of aperturesextending therethrough equal in number to the number of cavities in saidfirst plate member; means to move said first plate member into contactwith said second plate member so that said second plate member overliessaid first plate member, with the openings of said cavities facingupwardly, and, with said apertures in said second plate member overlyingthe cavities carrying said product; means to register a package orcontainer means against said second plate member; and, means to invertsaid package or container means, with said two plate members being inoverlying relationship, so that said products move into said package orcontainer means in predetermined positions determined by the position ofsaid cavities.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention a number of aperturesin the second plate member are formed as cavities to receive a secondproduct.

As will be appreciated by those skilled in the Art, the number of platemembers which may be used in the invention to bring together productfrom different sources need only be limited by the size of the platesand the number of product pieces which are to be packed. Thus three orfour plate member could be used quite successfully. What is requiredwith each successive plate, which overlies the plate or plates below, isthat apertures must be provided in alignment with the cavities on theplate or plates below so that upon inversion of the plates and package,access is provided for product to pass through the successive platesinto the package.

The package will always be registered with the uppermost plate, beforeinversion of the assembly.

In yet another aspect the invention provides an apparatus for thepackaging of products wherein each product piece is to be individuallypackaged by the apparatus before being packed together in the one outerpackage. In this aspect the second plate member retains and positions anumber of individual product packages, which correspond to the number ofproducts carried by the plate member. After the two plate members arebrought into contact in overlying relationship there is inversion of thefirst and second plate members whereby the products move into theindividual product packages, which remain held by said second platemember. The second plate member is then registered against the outerpackage in an overlying relationship and means are provided to transferthe individually packaged products into the outer package by passingthem through the second plate member, whereby to complete the packagingoperation.

In one preferred embodiment of the invention and with reference to theforegoing, the first product is formed, as for example by moulding ofthe first product, in at least some of the cavities of said first platemember. In this embodiment the apparatus may need to be provided withmeans to cause the first product to release from the cavities in thefirst plate member at the time that the first products are to move intoa package. That is, upon inversion of the first plate member.

In a further preferred embodiment of the invention the first and secondplate members may be formed as an integral, single plate. Thisembodiment is relevant, for example, when product is not sourced fromtwo different areas. Thus, a single plate may be loaded with product ofone, or more than one type, and a package registered against meansprovided on the plate, said means being the same or similar to thoseprovided on the second plate member of the preceding embodiments, beforeinversion to transfer the product to a package.

In yet another embodiment of the invention the package which isregistered against the second plate member may be a plurality ofpackages grouped together.

In one specific and particularly preferred embodiment of the inventionthere is provided an apparatus and method for packaging a first type ofconfectionery product and a second different type of confectioneryproduct in a package having preformed voids designed to receive the twotypes of product in predetermined locations within the package. It isalso envisaged that some or all of the first and/or the second type ofconfectionery product may be individually pre-packaged in, for example,foil.

The invention is particularly suitable where the packages have aplurality of pre-formed voids therein, designed to receive therespective products.

Where such packages are used the invention provides a unique andeffective registration procedure which in its preferred embodimenteffectively registers each void of the package to a cavity of the, oreach, plate which carries product.

Accordingly there is provided locating means for the package on thesecond plate member in the form of a cut-away portion at the edge of thesecond plate member into which the peripheral edge of the package can bereceived. In one form that cut-away portion may take the form of aperipheral recess. When that occurs, the effect is to restrain lateralmovement of the package with respect to the second plate member.

In a preferred embodiment, additional locating means are provided on thesecond plate member, constituted by the top of at least part of theinternal wall of the second plate member being cut-away to allow the topedge of the walls of the package to be received in that cut-awaysection. In one form the cut-away section is formed as a groove in thetop of the walls of the second plate member, which are those whichdefine the apertures and, if present, cavities therein.

As it is important that the two plate members move into and remain in aspecific overlying relationship, once brought into contact, it ispreferred that means are provided on one or both of said plate membersfor location of the two members in the desired overlying relationship,said means may also assist in retaining the two plate members in thatrelationship until such time as the products carried in the cavitiesthereof have been delivered to the package. These means include guidemeans on one or both of said plate members serving to guide and retainthe two plate members to and in the correct juxtaposition, however, aswill be appreciated by those skilled in the art, numerous arrangementscould be employed to achieve these aims, and any suitable means whichachieve these objectives, is within the invention.

For ease of explanation throughout the following description, referencewill be made to an especially preferred usage of the apparatus andprocess of the present invention, namely in the confectionery field forthe packaging of different types of confectionery product in a singlepackage. It should be understood, however, that such reference is merelyexemplary and that the invention is not to be considered to be in anyway limited to such usage. Indeed, the apparatus and process of thepresent invention will readily lend themselves to the packaging of avariety of other articles and products.

Reference will now be had to a particularly preferred apparatus andprocess, which is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIGS. 1.I-1.IV are schematic drawings of cross-sectional side elevationsof apparatus in accordance with the invention, in which the stagesmarked I, II, III and IV, are sequential steps in the process of theinvention;

FIGS. 2.III-2.V are schematic drawings similar to FIG. 1, showinganother embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional side elevation of a package and a secondplate member showing in detail the preferred registration feature; and

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional side elevation of a package and a singleplate member, in a further embodiment of the invention.

With reference to FIG. 1 of the drawings and stages I and II, there willbe seen two plate members containing product, which are independentlypositioned, one to the other. There is a first plate member 10containing a plurality of first products 12, located in cavities 14 and,a second plate member 16 containing a second product 18 in cavities 20.Each of plate members 10 and 16 carry up to 35 product pieces each.

Second plate member 18 also contains a plurality of apertures, or holes22 extending therethrough and, has a plurality of locating means 24associated therewith.

In the process of the invention, the plate members 10 and 16 are broughtinto contact as shown in stage II, with second plate member 16 overlyingfirst plate member 10 which is located in relation to plate member 16,with the assistance of locating means 24, in such a way that holes 22overlie cavities 14 of plate member 10.

Stage III illustrates the addition of a package or container 26 having aplurality of preformed voids 28 therein. Package 26 overlies platemember 16 so that voids 28 overlie cavities 14 and 20. This is achievedby any suitable means. The process of the invention then requiresinversion of plate members 10 and 16 and package 26, as shown in FIG.IV, and, as will be appreciated, product 12 drops through holes 22, andproduct 18 drops directly into voids 28, under the effect of gravity,whereby to complete the packaging of package 26.

The package 26 is then handled in a conventional way, by the addition ofa top or other closure and, other packaging ornamentation as deemednecessary or desired.

Referring now to FIG. 2, there is shown stages III, IV, and V of analternate embodiment of the process and apparatus of the invention.

It is understood that stages I and II of this embodiment are the same asthose of FIG. I.

In stage III there is seen a first plate member 10 and an intermediateplate member 11 which have been brought into overlying relationship.Product 12 and 18 are seen in cavities 14 and 20 respectively.

A second plate member 16 is provided to overlie plate member 11. Platemember 16 is provided with a plurality of apertures, or holes, 32therethrough which correspond in number and position with each ofcavities 20 and holes 22 of plate member 11.

In each hole 32 is provided with packaging 34 for each of product pieces12 and 18.

Packaging 34 is in the form of fluted cups of paper or plastic which areinverted from their "in use" position and which are retained in holes 32by retaining means therein (not shown).

In the process of the invention the three plate members 10, 11 and 16are inverted, as a unit, as shown in stage IV. Under the effects ofgravity, product 12 and 18 drops into packaging 34 but is retainedwithin holes 32 of plate member 16. Plate members 10 and 11 are thenremoved from plate member 16.

As individually packaged product 12 and 18 is still to be packaged in anouter container of some kind, the process provides for such a container,in this case a flat cardboard package 36 to be positioned against andunderneath second plate member 16, as seen in stage V.

Means is then provided to push packaging 34 and product 12 and 18 out ofholes 32 and into package 36. These means are not shown, but can be assimple as a plurality of push rods which align with holes 32 and movedownwardly to displace the contents of holes 32 into package 36.

Referring now to FIG. 3, there is shown therein a particularly preferredembodiment of an arrangement to obtain positive registration of apackage 126 by a second plate member 112. The second plate member 112 isprovided with a cut-away portion around its edge, in the form of aperipheral groove 115, into which is received an upstanding edge portion116 of package 126. In addition to the capture of the periphery ofpackage 126, the internal walls of plate member 112, which are shown at113, are provided with cut-away portions in the form of grooves 118 toreceive wall portions 122 of package 126; said wall portions 122 beingwalls which form the preformed voids 124 of package 126.

Referring now to FIG. 4 there is seen a single plate member 210containing a plurality of cavities 214 carrying product 212. Overlyingplate member 210 is a package 226 which is of the type having aplurality of preformed voids 224 separated by internal walls 222.

Plate member 210 is provided with a peripheral groove 215 which receivesthe peripheral edge 216 of package 226. The internal walls 113 of platemember 210 are provided with V-shaped grooves 218 which receive theinternal walls 222 of package 226.

Upon inversion of plate member 210 and package 226 product 212 movesinto voids 224. As the base of package 226 is close to product 212,there is little or no possibility that the orientation of product 212will be other than a inversion of the configuration shown in FIG. 4,which is the specific orientation desired in the package.

Also, registration of each of cavities 214 with a void 224 is achievedto ensure that the location of each article to be packaged is aspre-determined.

As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, packaging apparatusand packaging processes are most efficient when run continuously and theapparatus of this invention envisages that plate members 10, 11, 16 and112 and 212 move on continuous belts, not only during stages I-IV ofFIG. 1 and stages III to V of FIG. 2, but both before and after thosestages. Such continuous track or belt does not constitute part of thepresent invention and description thereof is not provided, as it will beknown and understood by those skilled in this art.

I claim:
 1. Apparatus for packaging articles, comprising, a first platemember having a plurality of cavities adapted to receive articles to bepackaged; a second plate member having a plurality of aperturesextending therethrough equal in number to the number of cavities in saidfirst plate member; means to move said first plate member into contactwith said second plate member so that said second plate member overliessaid first plate member, with the openings of said cavities facingupwardly, and, with said apertures in said second plate member overlyingthe cavities carrying said articles; means to register a package orcontainer means against said second plate member; and, means to invertsaid package or container means, with said two plate members being inoverlying relationship, so that said articles move into said package orcontainer means in predetermined positions determined by the position ofsaid cavities.
 2. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein one or moreapertures in said second plate member are formed as cavities and receivea second group of articles therein.
 3. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1wherein said second plate member is provided with packaging for eacharticle, said packaging being retained within the apertures thereof. 4.Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein one or moreintermediate plate members containing apertures and cavities areprovided which also receive articles to be packaged in said cavitiestherein, said intermediate plate members being positioned between saidfirst and second plate members prior to inversion thereof.
 5. Apparatusas claimed in any one of claims 1 or 2 wherein said second plate memberhas a cut-away portion at its edges into which the peripheral edge of apackage may be received.
 6. Apparatus as claimed in claim 5 wherein saidcut-away portions are formed as grooves.
 7. Apparatus as claimed inclaim 3 wherein said second plate member has a cut-away portion at itsedges into which the peripheral edge of a package may be received.
 8. Aprocess for packaging articles comprising supporting said articles incavities which are positioned in predetermined locations in a firstplate member, registering a package and a second plate member containinga corresponding number of apertures to said cavities against said firstplate member, inverting the two plate members and the package whil inregistration to cause the articles to fall into said package, and,removing the two plate members.
 9. A process as claimed in claim 8wherein one or more apertures in said second plate member are formed ascavities which support articles therein.
 10. A process as claimed inclaim 8 or 9 wherein one or more intermediate plate members containingapertures and cavities to receive product are positioned between saidfirst and second plate members prior to inversion thereof.
 11. Apparatusfor packaging articles, including a plate member having cavities adaptedto carry articles, or, apertures to allow articles to pass therethrough,said plate member being adapted to register against at least one packageand having cut-away portions in the internal walls between said cavitiesor apertures, said cut-away portions being of sufficient proportions toallow at least the top edge of one or more internal walls of saidpackage or packages to be received therein.